Birds have always been a source of inspiration and fascination to people around the globe and in the regional state of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, the rapid spread of its popularity in the market is unstoppable in a few years time and likewise, it is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry. With a striking record of more than 600 resident and migratory species of bird in Borneo, with 54 endemic species in which 33 are strictly montane birds of which most are found on either Sabah’s hill slopes or in its montane forest, thus making Sabah a premier birding destination in Malaysia.
The Organizers
In our appreciation for this natural gift, the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club has been in close cooperation with the Sabah Tourism Board, Sabah Parks, Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Nature Club and with the untiring support from Nikon, Canon and IJM Plantations Berhad, to successfully organized and launch this yearly local event, the Borneo Bird Festival where we share the same motivation: our love for the Birds of Borneo.
For the 1st time in 4 years, the merriment was housed at Malaysia’s First UNESCO World Heritage site and Borneo’s premier birding destination, the Kinabalu Park from 5th-7th October 2012.
With the theme “Winged Wonders of Kinabalu”, the 3-day event encompassed a diversity of birding activities that strengthened the progressive attitudes towards its conservation and to recognize its economic value in the eco-tourism industry. Furthermore, the festival was a venue where birders, environmentalists, economists, and specially our youths not only from Sabah but from around the world had fun, met old and new friends, shared ideas and interest and hoped to work together to preserve critical bird species and its habitat which is also the primary objective of the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club.
The festival was officiated by YB Datuk Masidi Manjun, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah followed by the book launching of : A Naturalist’s Guide to the Birds of Borneo by Mr. Wong Tsu Shi.
A total of nineteen (19) exhibitors participated in this year’s event. Buy and sell was not all it looked like as each exhibition booth found initiative to encourage the crowd to come and participate in their activities and even had a try on their displays. What more, the crowd had gained idea on environmental conservation by visiting booths of MNS, WWF Malaysia, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre and others.
Visitors looking for field guides and birding packages headed to booths of Borneo Books, North Borneo Safari, Borneo Nature Tours, Tabin Wildlife Holidays, and even birding on the neighboring islands of the Philippines brought to you by Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. For a taste of local food and crafts, just a short walk to the lined-up booths at the back of the gallery was all it took.
The talks by birding experts were conducted in Kinabalu Hall where it was more accessible and the indoor exhibitors had also the opportunity to listen and learn the important aspects of Birding in Borneo.
Children Bird camp has always been a good feature of Borneo Bird Festival, gathering youths to experience the outdoors and the beauty of Mother Nature through bird watching, environmental conservation lectures and demonstrations or even joining the fun in Junior Bird Race. It is our hope that our future generation will be actively involved in protecting our natural environment, its birdlife and other wildlife.
More fun and games were conducted both indoor and outdoor as deejays from Astro Radio headed in gathering the school kids including adults. Quizzes and giveaways were up for grabs and made the event merrier.
Guided bird walks were conducted in well-established trails looking for specialty birds such as Golden-naped Barbet, Pale-faced Bulbul, Bornean Green Magpie, Bornean Treepie and other striking birds around Kinabalu Park headquarters.
In addition, the 4th BBF had been the main ground for bird photographers and enthusiasts to get recognition by joining the competitions that only happens during this festival such as Bird Sound Mimic Contest, Bird Photography Contest, Bird Photography Race, and Bird Race which was a fun learning bird watching activity where 19 teams of competitors race for 24 hours at designated sites to watch, identify and record as many bird species as possible. Data collected would help in conservation and future research plus the prizes and fun thats worth the effort.
CHEERS TO THE SUCCESS OF THE 4TH BORNEO BIRD FESTIVAL 2012!
Bring on the happiness till we meet again for a bigger celebration at the 5th Borneo Bird Festival to be held at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok, Sandakan in 2013!
